Byzantine churches in Nablus (Neapolis), Palestine
Abstract Our aim is to research and catalogue archaeological and historical information on all the churches in Nablus from the Byzantine period, built from the beginning the fourth century ad to 638 ad –16 ah– and discovered from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries. We also aimed to provide a description of each building in terms of usage and form. We have extracted information from Byzantine literary and historical sources and Samaritan religious sources, as well as from reports on archaeological excavations, for analysing and drawing conclusions. In our study, we discuss the reuse of former Samaritan, Christian or Islamic sites, for reconstruction or conversion of the buildings to adapt them for use by the religion of the conquerors, whether it be Samaritan, Christian or Islamic. The churches have never been the subject of a comprehensive archaeological study due to the biblical focus of archaeological projects in Palestine. We examine each church individually looking at the cross-over or integration of architectural periods and models. Our review leads to the discovery that all the churches built in Nablus during the Byzantine period were of four architecturally distinct types, these being the Latin cross, octagonal central-plan, basilica-plan and rectangular plan. We also found that Christian churches were allowed to remain in use during Islamic rule.
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Flavius Iosèphus (1982; 2nd edit.): Guerre des Juifs. Livres iv-v. Translated by Pelletier, A. Coll. Budé, 288. Paris: Belles-Lettres.
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Abel, F. M. (1967): Géographie de la Palestine. Paris, vol. i.
Al-Maqdesi, (1994; Arabian edit.): Ahsan Altaqasem fi Ma?arafat El Aqalem. Cairo.
Al Nemer, I. (1975; Arabian edit.): Tarej ?abal Nabulus Wa al-Balqan. Vol. iv. Nablus.
Alder, E. N. and Seligsohn, M. (1902-1903): "Un nouvelle chronique samaritaine", Revue des Études Juives, 44, pp. 188-222; 45, pp. 70-98, 160 and 223-254; 46, pp. 123-146.
Ashhab, R. (2002): Archaeological Features in Palestine. Ramallah: pecdar.
Aviam, M. (1990): "Horvat Hesheq: A Unique Church in Upper Gallilee". In Bottini, G. C.; Segni, L. D. and Alliata, E. (eds.): Preliminary Report in Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land. Jerusalem, pp. 351-378.
Avi-Yonah, M. (1954): The Madaba Mosaic Map. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
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Avner, R. (2008): "The Account of Caesarea by Piacenza Pilgrim and the Recent Archaeological Discovery of the Octagonal Church in Caesarea Maritima", Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 140 (3), pp. 203-212. - https://doi.org/10.1179/174313008x341492
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Bagatti, B. (2002): Ancient Christian Villages of Samaria. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
Ben Pechat, M. (1989): "The Paleochristian baptismal fonts in the Holy Land: formal and functional study", Liber Annuus, 39, pp. 165-188.
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Crown, A. D. (ed.) (1989): The Samaritans. Tübingen: Mohr.
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Holum, K. G.; Hohlfelder, R. L. and Bull, R. J. (1988): King Herod's Dream, Caesarea on the Sea. New York-London: Penguin Books Canada Ltd.
Homes-Fredrico, D. and Hennesy, J. B. (1989): Archaeology of Jordan. Akkadica, suppl. viii. Leuven: Peeters.
Jaros, K. and Deckert, B. (1977): Studien zur Sichem-Area. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, 11a. Göttingen: Universitätverlag Freiburg Schweitz und Vnadenhoek and Ruprecht.
Kalbonah, A. S. (1992): History of Nablus 2500 bc-1918. Nablus.
Magen, I. (1990): "The Mount of Gerizim-The Sacred City", Qadmoniot; Quarterly for the Antiquities of Eretz-Israel and Bible Lands, 23 (3-4), pp. 70-96.
Magen, I. (1993a): "Samaritan Synagogues". In Early Christianity Monuments and Documents in Context. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press, pp. 193-227.
Magen, Y. (1993b): The Monastery of Martyrius at Ma'ale Adumim. A Guide. Jerusalem.
Margalit, S. (1987): "The North Church of Shivta. The Discovery of the first Church", Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 119, pp. 106-121. - https://doi.org/10.1179/peq.1987.119.2.106
Meimaris, Y. E. (1986): Sacred Names, Saints, Martyrs, and Church Official in the Greek Inscriptions and Papyri Pertaining to the Christian Church of Palestine. Athens: Research Center for Greek and Roman Antiquity.
Mills, J. (1864): Three Months' Residence at Nablus: And an Account of the Modern Samaritans. London.
Naveh, J. and Magen, Y. (1997): "Aramaic and Hebrew inscriptions of the second century bce at Mount Gerizim", Atiqot, 32, pp. 9-17.
Negev, A. (1974): "The Churches of the Central Negev. An archaeological Survery", Revue Biblique, 81, pp. 400-422.
Negev, A. (1989): "The Cathedral of Elusa and the New Typology and Chronology of the Byzantine Churches in the Negev", Liber Annus, 39, pp. 129-142.
Ovadiah, A. (1970): Corpus of the Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land. Theophaneia, 22. Bonn: P. Hanstein.
Ovadiah, A. and De Silva, C. G. (1981): "Supplementum to the Corpus of Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land, Part i: Newly discovered", Levant, 13, pp. 199-262. - https://doi.org/10.1179/lev.1981.13.1.200
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Petrozzi, M. T. (1981): Samaria (Holy Places of Palestine). Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
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Pringle, D. (1993): The Churches of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: A Corpus. Cambridge: cup, vols. 1-3.
Rosenthal, R. (1982): Die Kirchen von Sobota und die Dreiapsidenkirchen des Nahen Ostens. Göttinger Orientforschungen, 2. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
Schick, R. (1995): The Christian Communities of Palestine from Byzantine to Islamic Rule: A Historical and Archaeological Study. Princeton: Darwin Press.
Schneider, A. M. (1938): "The Churches of Palestine and their Influence on Early Christian Architecture", Antiquity, 12 (46), pp. 172-182. - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00013648
Schneider, A. M. (1951): "Römische und Byzantinische Bauten auf dem Garizim", Zeitschrift des Deutshen Palästine-Vereins, 68, pp. 211-234.
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Taha, H. (2014): A Guide of Palestine. Bethlehem: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Tsafrir, Y. (1993): Ancient Churches Revealed. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
Tsafrir, Y.; Di Segni, L. and Green, J. (1994): Tabula Imperii Romani Iudea Palaestina. Jerusalem.
Wilson, C. W. (1880): Picturesque Palestine, Sinai and Egypt. London, vol. 4.
Zayadine, F. (ed.) (1986): Jerash Archaeological Project 1, 1981-1983. Amman: Dept. of Antiquities.
Ammianus Marcellinus: Rerum gestarum. Libri xxxi. Translated by Rolfe, J. C. (1982 [1935; 1rst edit.]): History. London.
Anonymous: "Itinerarium Burdigalense". In Geyer, P. (ed.) (1898): Itinerarium Hierosolymitana, saeculi iv-viii. Leipzig-Vienna-Prague.
Anonymous: Chronicon Paschale 284-628 ad. Translated and introduced by Whitby, M. and Whitby, M. (1989). Col. Translated Texts for Historians, 7. Liverpool: lup.
Flavius Iosèphus (1982; 2nd edit.): Guerre des Juifs. Livres iv-v. Translated by Pelletier, A. Coll. Budé, 288. Paris: Belles-Lettres.
Iohannis Malalae (1831): Chronographia. Edited by Dindorf, L. Bonnae: Publ. Impensis ed. Weberi.
Abel, F. M. (1923): "Naplouse. Essai de Topographie", Revue Biblique, xxxii, pp. 120-132.
Abel, F. M. (1967): Géographie de la Palestine. Paris, vol. i.
Al-Maqdesi, (1994; Arabian edit.): Ahsan Altaqasem fi Ma?arafat El Aqalem. Cairo.
Al Nemer, I. (1975; Arabian edit.): Tarej ?abal Nabulus Wa al-Balqan. Vol. iv. Nablus.
Alder, E. N. and Seligsohn, M. (1902-1903): "Un nouvelle chronique samaritaine", Revue des Études Juives, 44, pp. 188-222; 45, pp. 70-98, 160 and 223-254; 46, pp. 123-146.
Ashhab, R. (2002): Archaeological Features in Palestine. Ramallah: pecdar.
Aviam, M. (1990): "Horvat Hesheq: A Unique Church in Upper Gallilee". In Bottini, G. C.; Segni, L. D. and Alliata, E. (eds.): Preliminary Report in Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land. Jerusalem, pp. 351-378.
Avi-Yonah, M. (1954): The Madaba Mosaic Map. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
Avi-Yonah, M.; Cohen, S. M. and Ovadiah, Y. (1993): "Churches". In Stern, E. (ed.): New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Oxford: oup, vol. 1, pp. 305-314.
Avner, R. (2008): "The Account of Caesarea by Piacenza Pilgrim and the Recent Archaeological Discovery of the Octagonal Church in Caesarea Maritima", Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 140 (3), pp. 203-212. - https://doi.org/10.1179/174313008x341492
Bagatti, B. (1971): The Church from the Gentiles in Palestine. History and Archaeology. Jerusalem.
Bagatti, B. (2002): Ancient Christian Villages of Samaria. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
Ben Pechat, M. (1989): "The Paleochristian baptismal fonts in the Holy Land: formal and functional study", Liber Annuus, 39, pp. 165-188.
Bottini, G. C.; Di Segni, L. and Alliata, E. (eds.) (1990): Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land: New Discoveries. Essays in honour of V. C. Corbo. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
Bromiley, G. W. (1982): International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Volume ii (e-j). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing.
Bull, R. J. and Wright, G. E. (1965): "Newly Discovered Temples on Mt. Gerizim in Jordan", Harvard Theological Review, 58, pp. 234-237. - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0017816000031345
Burgoyne, M. H. (1987): Proposal for the Restoration and Conservation of the Old City of Nablus, prepared for the municipality of Nablus. Palestine: British Council.
Crowfoot, J. W. (1941): Early Chruches in Palestine. London: Palestine Exploration Fund.
Crown, A. D. (ed.) (1989): The Samaritans. Tübingen: Mohr.
Dauphin, C. M. (1979): "A Roman Mosaic Pavement from Nablus", Israel Exploration Journal, 29, pp. 11-33.
Donner, H. (1992): The Mosaic Map of Madaba: An Introductory Guide. Palaestina antique, 7. Kampen: Peeters Publishers.
Gophna, R. and Porath, Y. (1972): "The Land of Ephraim and Menasseh". In Kochavi, M. (ed.): Judea, Samaria and the Golan. Archaeological Survey. Jerusalem, pp. 195-241.
Guerin, V. (1874): Description géografique, historique et archéologique de la Palestine. Paris: Imprimerie Impériale, vol. i.
Hastings, J. and Driver, S. R. (2004): A Dictionary of the Bible, volume ii (Part ii: i-Kinsman). Edinburgh: Minerva Group.
Hendrix, R. E.; Drey, P. R. and Storfjell, J. B. (1996): Ancient Pottery of Transjordan. An Introduction Utilizing Published Whole forms, Late Neolithic through Late Islamic. Berrien Springs.
Hirschfeld, Y. (1992): The Judean Desert Monasteries in the Byzantine Period. Yale: Yale University Press.
Holum, K. G.; Hohlfelder, R. L. and Bull, R. J. (1988): King Herod's Dream, Caesarea on the Sea. New York-London: Penguin Books Canada Ltd.
Homes-Fredrico, D. and Hennesy, J. B. (1989): Archaeology of Jordan. Akkadica, suppl. viii. Leuven: Peeters.
Jaros, K. and Deckert, B. (1977): Studien zur Sichem-Area. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, 11a. Göttingen: Universitätverlag Freiburg Schweitz und Vnadenhoek and Ruprecht.
Kalbonah, A. S. (1992): History of Nablus 2500 bc-1918. Nablus.
Magen, I. (1990): "The Mount of Gerizim-The Sacred City", Qadmoniot; Quarterly for the Antiquities of Eretz-Israel and Bible Lands, 23 (3-4), pp. 70-96.
Magen, I. (1993a): "Samaritan Synagogues". In Early Christianity Monuments and Documents in Context. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press, pp. 193-227.
Magen, Y. (1993b): The Monastery of Martyrius at Ma'ale Adumim. A Guide. Jerusalem.
Margalit, S. (1987): "The North Church of Shivta. The Discovery of the first Church", Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 119, pp. 106-121. - https://doi.org/10.1179/peq.1987.119.2.106
Meimaris, Y. E. (1986): Sacred Names, Saints, Martyrs, and Church Official in the Greek Inscriptions and Papyri Pertaining to the Christian Church of Palestine. Athens: Research Center for Greek and Roman Antiquity.
Mills, J. (1864): Three Months' Residence at Nablus: And an Account of the Modern Samaritans. London.
Naveh, J. and Magen, Y. (1997): "Aramaic and Hebrew inscriptions of the second century bce at Mount Gerizim", Atiqot, 32, pp. 9-17.
Negev, A. (1974): "The Churches of the Central Negev. An archaeological Survery", Revue Biblique, 81, pp. 400-422.
Negev, A. (1989): "The Cathedral of Elusa and the New Typology and Chronology of the Byzantine Churches in the Negev", Liber Annus, 39, pp. 129-142.
Ovadiah, A. (1970): Corpus of the Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land. Theophaneia, 22. Bonn: P. Hanstein.
Ovadiah, A. and De Silva, C. G. (1981): "Supplementum to the Corpus of Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land, Part i: Newly discovered", Levant, 13, pp. 199-262. - https://doi.org/10.1179/lev.1981.13.1.200
Ovadiah, A. and De Silva, C. G. (1982): "Supplementum to the Corpus of Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land, Part ii", Levant, 14, pp. 122-170. - https://doi.org/10.1179/lev.1982.14.1.122
Ovadiah, A. and De Silva, C. G. (1984): "Supplementum to the Corpus of Byzantine Churches in the Holy Land, Part iii", Levant, 16, pp. 129-165. - https://doi.org/10.1179/007589184790586175
Petrozzi, M. T. (1973): Samaria (Luoghi Santi della Palestina). Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
Petrozzi, M. T. (1981): Samaria (Holy Places of Palestine). Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press.
Piccirillo, M. (1993): "Umm Er-Rasas". In Stern, E. (ed.): The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. New York: Israel Exploration Society and Carta, vol. 3, pp. 1490-1493.
Pringle, D. (1993): The Churches of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: A Corpus. Cambridge: cup, vols. 1-3.
Rosenthal, R. (1982): Die Kirchen von Sobota und die Dreiapsidenkirchen des Nahen Ostens. Göttinger Orientforschungen, 2. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
Schick, R. (1995): The Christian Communities of Palestine from Byzantine to Islamic Rule: A Historical and Archaeological Study. Princeton: Darwin Press.
Schneider, A. M. (1938): "The Churches of Palestine and their Influence on Early Christian Architecture", Antiquity, 12 (46), pp. 172-182. - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00013648
Schneider, A. M. (1951): "Römische und Byzantinische Bauten auf dem Garizim", Zeitschrift des Deutshen Palästine-Vereins, 68, pp. 211-234.
Taha, H. (2005): "A Decade of Archaeology in Palestine". In Maniscalco, F. (ed.): Tutela, conservazione e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale della Palestin. Mediterraneum: Tutela e valorizzazione dei beni culturali ed ambientali, 5. Napoli, pp. 63-71.
Taha, H. (2014): A Guide of Palestine. Bethlehem: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Tsafrir, Y. (1993): Ancient Churches Revealed. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
Tsafrir, Y.; Di Segni, L. and Green, J. (1994): Tabula Imperii Romani Iudea Palaestina. Jerusalem.
Wilson, C. W. (1880): Picturesque Palestine, Sinai and Egypt. London, vol. 4.
Zayadine, F. (ed.) (1986): Jerash Archaeological Project 1, 1981-1983. Amman: Dept. of Antiquities.
Abu Alsaud, L. (2018). Byzantine churches in Nablus (Neapolis), Palestine. Zephyrvs, 82, 187–207. https://doi.org/10.14201/zephyrus201882187207
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